The document discusses the challenges of connectivity and technology for disadvantaged groups, highlighting issues such as poor service delivery to micro businesses and ineffective e-learning solutions. It emphasizes the importance of engaging individuals and creating supportive learner environments, as well as the need for appropriate resources and tutor skills to enhance technology use. Ultimately, it advocates for a focus on critical needs and peer support to improve learning outcomes.

1. Is Connectivity Connecting? Roy Smith Director The MRS Consultancy Ltd

2. Connecting? Technology alone not enough Disadvantaged groups poorly served Supply issues

3. Micro Businesses & e-learning Little use No time No resources Not relevant E-learn2work 3 years Action Research Barriers - micros & individuals Diagnostics with 426 E-learning developed - 70 Results Focus on critical needs Natural networks Variable ICT literacy Signposting an issue Services not products

4. Engaging individuals is key LearnER environment not LearnING environment Peer support AND Certificates can be Good T-shirts and certificates 33% took up Aset Award

5. SUPPLIERS Even the good ones - Mediocre use of technology - e-SGAs - Limited use of new learner support What technology? - H&S issues - Shopfloor divide - Where’s the pc? - Not for learning Content & skills Qualifications not business needs DIY learning solution? but lack of skills Appropriate support? - Tutor skills On the internet – us or them? - DIY: can we help?

6. Making the connection - Engagement key - Good stuff available - LearnER environments Tangible benefits - Service model